Britain's All Time Heavy Top Ten

By Jeff Day

28.11 - This article may cause some amusement to my esteemed American readers, but I feel there is a place on this, the world's number one website, for a ranking of Britain's all time top ten heavyweights.

Normally, when compiling lists such as these, the part that causes the most consternation is deciding who should be number one, or at least who should occupy the top half of the list. However, the top six in this list was quite straightforward - at least in this humble writer's opinion.

Well, here goes. I know this may cause much debate, and therein lies the point of all of these lists. It is purely subjective and should not be taken too seriously!

10. Joe Erskine

Career: 1954-1964.

Record: 45 Wins (13 inside schedule); 8 Defeats; 1 Draw.

Profile: Joe was an excellent boxer who lacked a killer punch. Was both a British and British Empire (Commonwealth) king. At just under 6 feet and around 190lbs in his prime, the Welshman boxed Henry Cooper eight times, amateur and professional.

Best Victories: Henry Cooper (W10 & W15), Willie Pastrano (W10), George Chuvalo (DQ5), Jack Bodell (W10).

Notable Defeats: Nino Valdes (KO by 1), Ingemar Johannson (KO by 13), Brian London (KO by 8), Henry Cooper (KO by 12, KO by 5, KO by 9), Karl Mildenberger (L10).

9. Brian London

Career: 1955-1970.

Record: 37 wins (26 inside schedule); 20 defeats; 1 draw.

Profile: At 6 feet tall and about 205lbs at his peak, and son of Jack, himself a British heavyweight champion back in 1944, Brian was British and Empire champion from 1958-1959. Lost in two attempts at both the European and World championships. London was short on finesse, but not on toughness and bravery.

Best Victories: Joe Erskine (KO8), Zora Folley (W10), Pete Rademacher (WKO7).

Notable Defeats: Henry Cooper (KOby1, L15, L15), Floyd Patterson (KO by 11), Nino Valdes (KO by 7), Eddie Machen (KO by 10), Ingemar Johannson (L12), Thad Spencer (L10), Muhammad Ali (KO by 3), Jerry Quarry (KO by 2), Joe Bugner (KO by 5).

8. Bruce Woodcock

Career: 1946-1950.

Record: 35 Wins (31 inside schedule); 4 Defeats.

Profile: Despite having a relatively short career, Woodcock crammed a lot of fights in against good opposition en route to British, British Empire and European Heavyweight crowns. He also fought Lee Savold for the World Heavyweight title (as recognised in Europe). A big puncher who was 200lb plus when in his pomp.

Best Victories: Jack London (KO6), Freddie Mills (W12 & KO14), Gus Lesnevich (KO8), Lee Oma (KO4), Lee Savold (WDQ 4).

Notable Defeats: Tami Mauriello (KOby5), Lee Savold (KOby4) & Jack Gardner (KOby11).

7. Don Cockell

Career: 1946-1956.

Record: 65 Wins (37 inside schedule); 14 Defeats; 1 Draw.

Profile: A dogged, brave battler who battled with his weight (through no fault of his own - a medical condition) and won British and European championships at light-heavyweight. Was also British and Empire Heavyweight king. Weighed 205lbs against Rocky Marciano when he tried for the richest prize in sports.

Best Victories: Lloyd Marshall (DQ7 & KO1), Freddie Beshore (W10), Tommy Farr (KO7), Harry 'Kid' Matthews (W10, W10 & KO 8).

Notable Defeats: Randy Turpin (KOby11), Rocky Marciano (KO by 9), Nino Valdes (KO by 3).

6. Henry Cooper

Career: 1954-1971.

Record: 40 Wins (27 inside schedule); 14 Defeats; 1 Draw.

Profile: Longest reigning British Heavyweight champion. Left hook had tremendous power. Was prone to cuts and exposed at the highest level. Sustained British folk hero status because of the left hook that floored the then Cassius Clay. Suffered seven of his defeats in the first four years of his professional career.

Best Victories: Brian London (KO1, W15, W15), Joe Erskine (KO12, KO5, KO9), Zora Folley (W10), Karl Mildenberger (DQ8), Jack Bodell (KO2, W15).

Notable Defeats: Joe Erskine (L10, L15), Ingemar Johannson (KO by 5), Zora Folley (KO by 2), Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali (KO by 5, KO by 6), Floyd Patterson (KO by 4), Joe Bugner (L15).

5. Frank Bruno

Career: 1982-1996.

Record: 40 Wins (38 inside schedule); 5 Defeats.

Profile: Is afforded similar hero status to Henry Cooper. Good power. At 6 feet 3 inches tall and around 224lbs in his prime, he had an excellent jab, but was accused of being too upright and stiff to make it to the highest level. Never boxed for the British (or Commonwealth) title. Was European king and won a version of the World title at the fourth attempt.

Best Victories: Anders Eklund (KO 4), Gerrie Coetzee (KO 1), Pierre Coetzer (KO 8), Carl Williams (KO 10), Jesse Ferguson (KO 1), Oliver McCall (W 12).

Notable Defeats: James 'Bonecrusher' Smith (KO by 10), Tim Witherspoon (KO by 11), Mike Tyson (KO by 5 & KO by 3), Lennox Lewis (KO by 7).

4. Bob Fitzsimmons

Career: 1882-1914.

Record: 28 Wins (23 inside schedule); 7 Defeats; 1 Draw; 5 No Decisions.

Profile: Born in Cornwall, England. Barely a super-middleweight when winning the World Heavyweight championship by beating James J Corbett, Fitzsimmons at nearly 6 feet. Had spindly legs, but generated freakish power due to tremendous strength in upper body. Was a blacksmith by trade. First man to win World titles at three weights. Britain's first World Heavyweight champion. (Was American citizen however by the time he won the heavyweight title.

Best Victories: Jack Dempsey (Nonpareil) (KO 13), Peter Maher (KO 12 & KO 1), James J Corbett (KO 14), Tom Sharkey (KO 2), George Gardner (W20).

Notable Defeats: Jim Jeffries (KO by 11), Jack O'Brien (KO by 13), Jack Johnson (KO 2).

3. Tommy Farr

Career: 1926-1953.

Record: 80 Wins (24 inside schedule); 29 Defeats; 13 Draws; 2 No Decisions.

Profile: Welshman was a spoiler most famous for his gallant effort against Joe Louis for the World title in 1937; Louis' first defence. Could make the best fighters look ordinary. Was British and Empire king. Did a 'George Foreman' and took ten years out of the ring from 1940-1950. Came back and got as far as an eliminator for the British title. At his peak Farr was around the 204lb mark. Good boxer, but lacked power.

Best Victories: Bob Olin (W10), Ben Foord (W15), Max Baer (W12), Clarence 'Red' Burman (W10), Larry Gains (KO6), Tommy Loughran (W15).

Notable Defeats: Eddie Phillips (L15, DQ3, L15), Joe Louis, (L15), James J Braddock (L10), Lou Nova (L15), Clarence 'Red' Burman (L10), Don Cockell (KO by 7).

2. Joe Bugner

Career: 1967-1999.

Record: 69 Wins (41 inside schedule); 13 Defeats; 1 Draw.

Profile: Could, and should have achieved so much more. British, Commonwealth and European champion. At 6ft 4in had the physical tools, but lacked the fire required to make it to the highest level. This may have been as a result of the death of opponent Ulrich Regis after their bout in 1969. The British public never warmed to big Joe, mainly because of his victory over Henry Cooper in 1971 and the fact he rarely seemed to throw punches with 'bad intentions'.

Best Victories: Brian London (KO5), Chuck Wepner (KO3), Henry Cooper (W15), Jurgen Blin (KO8), Mac Foster (W10), Jimmy Ellis (W10), Richard Dunn (KO1).

Notable Defeats: Jack Bodell (L15), Muhammad Ali (L12, L15), Joe Frazier (L12), Ron Lyle (L12), Earnie Shavers (KO by 2), Marvis Frazier (L10), Frank Bruno (KO by 8).

1. Lennox Lewis

Career: 1989-Present.

Record: 40 Wins (31 inside schedule); 2 Defeats; 1 Draw.

Profile: Britain's first true World Heavyweight Champion in over a century. Excellent boxer with superb jab when utilised properly. Thunderous power in the right cross. Has beaten every man he has faced. Avenged two shocking knockout defeats. Has been world class for over a decade.

Best Victories: Gary Mason (KO7); Donovan Ruddock (KO2); Tony Tucker (W12), Frank Bruno (KO7), Ray Mercer (W10), Oliver McCall (KO5), Andrew Golota (KO1), Evander Holyfield (W12), Michael Grant (KO2), David Tua (W12), Hasim Rahman (KO4), Mike Tyson (KO8).

Notable Defeats: Oliver McCall (KO by 2), Hasim Rahman (KO by 5). Unfortunately, the likes of Billy Wells, Joe Beckett, Jack Peterson, Jack London, Jack Gardner, Johnny Williams, Dick Richardson, Jack Bodell, Richard Dunn, Bunny Johnson, Horace Notice, Gary Mason and Herbie Hide didn't quite make the cut.

So, there you have it. I know this will ruffle more than a few feathers. As I stated earlier, this sort of thing should not be taken to heart. It is harmless fun, which I hope will generate debate amongst the knowledgeable boxing fans that read the pieces placed on this site. Happy reading!